Powwow 101, with Vicar Wanda Frenchman
Powwow 101, with Vicar Wanda Frenchman

One of the social events that Tribal nations and organizations host that welcome non-Indigenous people to attend is a powwow. There are plenty of powwows hosted across the United States and Canada. It is likely there is one planned and hosted somewhere near you. Some of you may have attended a powwow in the past and have enjoyed the drums, singing, dancing, ceremony and food while there!

But whether you have attended a powwow in the past or have yet to attend a powwow, this presentation from the Grand Canyon Synod’s Wanda Frenchman will provide you with information and instructions on how to be a respectful and successful visitor/guest. For more information: http://elca.org/indigenous

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ELCA, News, Grand Canyon SynodBrian FlatgardAmerican Indian Alaska Native Lutheran Association, ELCA Indigenous Ministries and Tribal RelationsComment
Thanks to all who made our 2024 Assembly possible!
Thanks to all who made our 2024 Assembly possible!

We are deeply grateful to the many individuals who have embodied the Word in their contributions to this year’s Synod Assembly. From committees and task forces to volunteers on the ground, your dedication and hard work have been instrumental in bringing our vision to life. Visit our thank you page to discover all the wonderful people who helped us embody the Word at our 2024 assembly.

A special thank you goes to our voting members. Your commitment to travel, engage, and participate in the complex business of the church is invaluable, especially in this year of a Bishop election. Your willingness to serve, your discerning voices, and your passion for our mission have been vital in shaping the direction of our church. This Assembly’s success is a testament to your meaningful contributions and active participation. Y’all truly embody the Word!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod AssemblyComment
For What Shall We Pray?
For What Shall We Pray?

  • For justice and peace among nations where war and violence rage, especially Palestine and Israel, Iran, Myanmar, Iraq, Haiti, Russia and Ukraine, Burkina Faso, Sudan, and South Sudan…

  • For Native Americans celebrating cultural identity through powwows this summer and for preservation and appreciation of indigenous heritage…

  • For victims of landsides in Central and South America…

  • For cleanup efforts after a major oil spill near Singapore…

  • For those grieving the heat-related deaths of more than 500 pilgrims in Mecca during Hajj…

  • For extreme heat in India and other places around the globe…

  • For the health of our planet and people, creatures, and habitats most impacted by climate change…

  • For migrants missing or lost after shipwrecks in the Mediterranean…

  • For victims of human rights violations, especially in Greece, and for protection for all migrants…

  • For a resolution to violence in the South China Sea…

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ELCA, PrayersBrian FlatgardELCA Worship, For What Shall We PrayComment
Find Your Next Home Treasure at Ascension Lutheran Church’s Indoor Fixture Sale
Find Your Next Home Treasure at Ascension Lutheran Church’s Indoor Fixture Sale

Join Ascension Lutheran Church in Paradise Valley, AZ, for their Indoor Fixture Sale on June 28th and 29th from 7 AM to 11 AM. Discover a wide range of quality fixtures that offer both style and functionality, perfect for any home. This event supports Ascension’s community missions and provides a great opportunity to connect with fellow Lutherans in the Grand Canyon Synod. Don’t miss out on finding unique items that enhance your space while supporting a good cause! Ascension is at 7100 N. Mockingbird Lane, Paradise Valley, AZ.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardAscension Paradise Valley, ClassifiedsComment
Discover Your Spiritual Path with Fund for Leaders’ Online Discernment Groups Starting July 1
Discover Your Spiritual Path with Fund for Leaders’ Online Discernment Groups Starting July 1

Fund for Leaders and the ELCA invite you to join our online discernment groups starting July 1. Designed for those curious about seminary or church leadership, these groups serve as a platform for exploring your spiritual calling. Register at elcaseminaries.org or contact recruitment@elca.org. Rostered ministers interested in leading can reach out to Rick.Summy@elca.org. Discover your path in a supportive community of faith leaders.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardELCA Seminaries, ELCA Fund for LeadersComment
June 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo: U.P. Wild Church
June 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo: U.P. Wild Church

Our June 2024 ELCA Mission Support Memo takes us back to U.P. Wild Church, in Northern Great Lake Synod: “a spiritual home for the seekers of beauty, wonder, & awe; where the ‘church goers’ supplement their journey and the ‘misfits’ finally feel connected within the congregation of paper birch trees & squawking geese via the Mystery which creates all things.”

Additionally find free access to ELCA Stewardship recordings on “The Spirituality of Capital Campaigns,” “Creating a Year-Round Stewardship Calendar,” “Narrative Budget Construction,” “Donor Motivations” or “Four Mindset Shifts” which are perfect for stewardship teams wanting to do some continuing education or for councils curious about what’s happening in the realm of stewardship.

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ELCA, NewsBrian FlatgardMission Support, ELCA Mission Support TeamComment
Community Spotlight: Food Bank at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church
Community Spotlight: Food Bank at Streams in the Desert Lutheran Church

Lutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA) shares an article after having had the pleasure of visiting several churches and feeding ministries in Tucson! They want to use their blog to help share the stories of various ministries around our synod, both to celebrate ELCA World Hunger’s 50th anniversary, and to foster connections between people doing God’s good work. Stay tuned over the coming weeks to hear more about ministries in Tucson and around the state!

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardLutheran Advocacy Ministry Arizona (LAMA), Streams in the Desert Tucson, Hunger, Advocacy, Kino ConferenceComment
Ordination celebrations: June 21 – 27, 2024
Ordination celebrations: June 21 – 27, 2024

This week we celebrate the ordination anniversaries of:

  • Rev. Michael Johnson, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Roger Thompson, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Joseph Carucci, who celebrates 63 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Terry Pletkovich, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. John Sersland, who celebrates 43 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Nancy Milleville, Our Savior’s, Mesa, who celebrates 44 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Michael Girlinghouse, LCM Canterbury, Flagstaff, who celebrates 37 years on June 21.

  • Rev. Sarah Upham-Birdsall, who celebrates 22 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Matthew Dobyns, ELCA, Chicago, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Gary Hess, who celebrates 47 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Duane Peterson, who celebrates 66 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Andrew Schlecht, Maricopa, Maricopa, who celebrates 16 years on June 22.

  • Rev. Glenn Zimbelman, who celebrates 40 years on June 24.

  • Rev. Scott Hove, Good Samaritan, Las Vegas, Good Sam at The Lakes, Las Vegas, who celebrates 29 years on June 25.

  • Rev. Paul Overvold, who celebrates 46 years on June 25.

  • Rev. Dennis Hagstrom, who celebrates 47 years on June 25.

  • Rev. John Geske, Mayo, Scottsdale, who celebrates 36 years on June 26.

  • Rev. David Towers, who celebrates 48 years on June 27.

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Grand Canyon Synod, NewsBrian FlatgardOrdination AnniversariesComment
Lutheran World Federation newsletter: 6/14/2024
Lutheran World Federation newsletter: 6/14/2024

Council 2024

News

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News, Global ChurchBrian FlatgardLutheran World FederationComment
God's love in these times | 2024 ELCA Churchwide Report video
God's love in these times | 2024 ELCA Churchwide Report video

Have you heard the phrase, “May you live in interesting times?” Many would say we live in uncertain times, with a world experiencing war and famine, the stress and lingering effects of the pandemic. But Bishop Eaton reminds us that as people of the Resurrection we also live in hope. God’s love sustains us even in the most difficult times. We live in interesting times because God’s love is always real.

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ELCA, Bishop Eaton, Grand Canyon Synod, News, LettersBrian Flatgard2024 Grand Canyon Synod Assembly, Bishop Eaton LettersComment
A Season of Music and Faith: Upcoming Lutheran Music Events
A Season of Music and Faith: Upcoming Lutheran Music Events

This summer, engage with your faith through music at a series of Lutheran music events. Highlights include Augsburg Fortress Summer Music Clinics in five U.S. cities and the Lutheran Summer Music Academy at Valparaiso University, featuring over 30 public concerts. Additionally, Music that Makes Community offers community singing workshops, embodying our commitment to faith, music, and community. Embrace this opportunity to deepen your spiritual journey through music and read more at ELCA Worship’s monthly blog post.

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ELCA, News, Worship ResourcesBrian FlatgardELCA WorshipComment